BOTH of Saturday’s Macaulay Cup ties were decided from the penalty spot, the one at Newtonmore in extra time, the other at Tighnabruaich took even longer.
aw over 90 minutes with Robbie MacLeod firing Kyles ahead 12 minutes into the first period of extra time. But Inveraray also found the net through Stuart Anderson in the 114th minute to force a penalty shoot out - with Inveraray claiming the South’s place in the Oban final on August 23.
At Newtonmore, the home side kept Fort William on the back foot for long periods of the first-half but failed to capitalise on the numerous chances they created until David Cheyne met a measured Norman Campbell pass from the left to half-volley the ball passed keeper Scott McNeil.
One minute off the half-time whistle Cheyne fired in a low shot which took a wicked bounce to elude McNeil and give Newtonmore the cushion they desired.
Within a minute of the second-half starting James Clark drew a goal back as Fort William stated their intent to retain their trophy and within another two minutes they were back on level terms when Bryan Simpson was allowed too much room and he fired the equaliser past helpless stand-in keeper Sean McQuarrie.
Newtonmore appeared stunned by the double strike and couldn’t get a grip of the ball in midfield and when Clark turned the defence on the left and smashed Fort William into the lead, Newtonmore looked to have thrown away their first cup final chance in two decades in spectacular fashion.
Norman Campbell netted an equaliser five minutes from time to take the cup tie into extra time and Inveraray scored two penalties in extra time.
Inveraray will start the final at the end of August as hot favourites by virtue of their recent experience in this competition.
